Continued bitterly freezing temperatures, combined with the possibility of up to a couple of additional inches of snow, are prompting city officials to remind District residents about some of the resources that are available to the homeless because of the threat posed by hypothermia.
I wanted to pass along this alert I received from the D.C. Office on Aging:
The District of Columbia is committed to protecting the homeless from extreme weather injury by meeting the demand for shelter during hypothermia (not enough heat). An alert is issued when the temperature falls below 32 degrees which is freezing. You can help. Call the hotline when you see a homeless person who may be impacted by extreme temperatures. The Hypothermia Hotline, 1 (800) 535-7252, is operated by the United Planning Organization (UPO). Families seeking emergency shelter should go to the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center at 33 N Street, NE. The shelter operates between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday (except for holidays and days on which the District government is closed). After 3:30 pm and on weekends, during extreme temperature alerts, families should call the Shelter Hotline for transportation to the DC General family shelter or other available family shelter. For more information, call 311.
To that I would add a reminder to check in on any elderly or vulnerable neighbors who might not have adequate heat.
In the meantime, bundle up and stay warm!